30 arrested in All-Star weekend sex trafficking in New Orleans

An investigation involving local authorities and the FBI resulted in 30 arrests in connection with sex trafficking during the NBA All-Star weekend in New Orleans, according to Louisiana state police.

The arrests included 22 women and four men arrested on prostitution-related charges. Four other men were booked for allegedly using computers to solicit minors for sex. And the operation resulted in the rescue of a juvenile believed to have been exploited since she was 14 years old.

"While the FBI and its partners never rest in pursuit of those engaged in sex trafficking and online sexual exploitation, we will continue to further heighten our efforts during the many special events held in New Orleans that, unfortunately, trigger spikes in this type of criminal activity," Michael Anderson, head of the FBI's New Orleans office, says in a joint statement with state police.

The women are believed to have traveled to New Orleans from throughout the country - including Texas, California, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee - to engage in sex-related crimes during the NBA All-Star weekend.

The FBI's Violent Crimes against Children Unit and agents from FBI field offices in New Orleans and Houston worked with state police, the Jefferson sheriff's office and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children throughout the All-Star event, says the statement released Friday.

The arrests are the latest related to law enforcement efforts to stop human trafficking during major sporting events that draw large numbers of tourists to major cities.

Ahead of the 2014 Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey officials set up training for legions of law enforcement personnel, hospitality workers, high school students, airport employees and others on identifying the signs of sex trafficking. Later, authorities reported that 16 juveniles forced into prostitution were rescued by the FBI in a two-week operation leading up to the Super Bowl.

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30 arrested in All-Star weekend sex trafficking in New Orleans

Among other things, the operation resulted in the rescue of a juvenile believed to have been exploited since she was 14 years old.